- Some Nigerians have expressed displeasure at the President’s incessant globe-trotting, saying his foreign itinerary amounts to wasting of taxpayer money all in the name of luring investors to Nigeria.
Foreign Affairs Minister, Yusuf Tuggar, has said that President Bola Tinubu needs to spend more time outside Nigeria.
The Minister said the Tinubu’s administration is relatively new one, hence the need for him to junket around the world and meet with the leaders of other countries.
Some Nigerians have expressed displeasure at the President’s incessant globe-trotting, saying his foreign itinerary amounts to wasting of taxpayer money all in the name of luring investors to Nigeria.
As at May 2024, the president had spent about 96 days abroad from the day he was sworn in, visiting some countries more than once.
He has visited France, United Kingdom, Guinea Bissau, Kenya, Benin Republic, India, United Arab Emirates, the United States of America, Saudi Arabia, Germany, Ethiopia, Senegal, Qatar, The Netherlands.
Speaking to Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, the Minister said that the President needs to travel more as he is not doing enough of that.
“This administration is still new. He was sworn-in in 2023. In global terms he is still a new President. He needs to interact with his colleagues, fellow heads of state to be able to establish relationships and you can see the fruits of these trips. Look at the benefits.”
He opined that Nigeria has money to spend on Tinubu’s travels, adding that the benefits of these travels outweigh their costs.
“You travel once and you get $2bn of investment like he did in Brazil…in fact, we are not travelling enough. I should suggest that we should do more.
“Nigeria has the money. How much does travelling cost compared to the benefits. And how much does it cost when you’re comparing it to the things that the President has already addressed.
“How much were we wasting on fuel subsidy, electricity subsidy and all those subsidies?” The Minister queried.
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